Animated merchandise displayer



W. F. WISE ANIMATED MERCHANDISE DISPLAYER Dec. 27, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 5, 1953 Walter F. Melee INVENTOR ATTORNEYS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W. F. WISE ANIMATED MERCHANDISE DISPLAYER Dec. 27, 1955 Fild Jan. 5, 1953 INVENTOR I v I 1 ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent i 2,728,153 ANllVIATED MERCHANDISE DISPLAYER Walter F. Wise, Decatur, Ga. Application January 5, 1953, Serial No. 329,643

4 Claims. (Cl. 40-30) This invention relates to a display device, and more particularly to display devices of the animated mechanically operated type, designed primarily for displaying merchandise such as ladies garments, fitted on garment forms.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a display device of this character which is so constructed that the forms on which garments are displayed, will be moved longitudinally of the display device or display window, the display device being so constructed and arranged that the display form or forms will be auto matically turned at the ends of paths of travel of the display forms so that the display forms will be turned to display only the front and side portions of the garments during the operation of the device.

Another object of the invention is to provide a display device of this character wherein the base is inclined forwardly so that the movable platforms on which the display forms are mounted, are slowly rotated by gravity as they move longitudinally of the base to display the fronts and sides of the garments, displaying garments with practically the same effect as when the garments are handled by professional models.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a display device constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view illustrating the power shaft of the device.

Referring to the drawings in detail the device comprises a box-like body portion indicated generally by the reference character 5, the body portion having its upper or top surface 6 inclined forwardly towards the front edge of the body providing a platform support for the form used in displaying garments.

Extending longitudinally of the upper surface or top 6, are slots 7, the portion 8 of the upper surface or top 6 between the slots 7, being held in place by means of the brackets 9 arranged at the ends of the body portion, one end of each bracket being secured to the under surface of the top 6, while the opposite ends of each bracket are connected with the portion 8 of the upper surface or top, supporting the same.

These brackets 9 also provide supports for bearings 2,728,153 Patented Dec. 27, 1955 10 in which the upper ends of the substantially vertical shafts 11 operate, the lower ends of said shafts 11 operating in bearings 12 that are supported on the bottom 13 of the body 5.

On the upper ends of the shafts 11 are secured sprockets 14 over which the endless chain 15 operates, the chain being so arranged with respect to the slots 7 that the flights of the chain move directly under the slots, as clearly shown by Fig. 6 of the drawings. Secured to the chain and extending upwardly therefrom, is the pin 16, which pin operates through the slots, one end of the pin extending a substantial distance above the upper surface or top 6 where it fits loosely within an opening of the platform 17, the connection between the pin and platform 17 being eccentric, and since the upper surface or top 6 is inclined forwardly, it is obvious that the platform will swing downwardly as the pin 16 moves through the curved ends 18 of the slots, to the end that only the front portion and side portions of the garment fitted on a form secured on the platform will be displayed at the front of the display device. Thus, it will be seen that as the chain rotates throughout the lengths of the slots, the platform will maintain a predetermined position against rotation due to the manner of pivoting the platform, which causes one end of the platform to gravitate towards the front edge of the body, eliminating trips and other complicated mechanism for rotating said platform.

The body 5 provides the housing for the motor 19 which is supplied with electric energy through wires 20 leading from the usual house current, the motor 19 transmitting power to the shaft 21, through the pulley 22 and belt 23. The shaft 21 forms a part of the reduction gearing disposed within the gear housing 24, the reduction gearing operating the pulley 25, which in turn transmits power to the pulley 26 secured to shaft 11, through the belt 27. Thus it will be seen that the shafts 11 will be rotated by the electrically controlled mechanism, resulting in the operation of the chain to move the platform 17 longitudinally of the upper surface or top of the body 5, displaying the form and garment fitted on the form.

In operation, the chain will cause movement of the platform 17 longitudinally of the upper surface or top of the display device, and since the platform 17 rests on the upper inclined surface of the body 5, the platform will be caused to rotate gradually by gravity as it reaches the ends of the slots, so that only the front and sides of the garment are displayed at the front of the device.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A device for displaying garments fitted on forms, comprising a body having a forwardly inclined upper surface, parallel slots connected at their ends, formed longitudinally of said inclined upper surface, substantially vertical shafts mounted within the body adjacent to the ends thereof, sprockets secured on the upper ends of the shafts, operating parallel to said inclined upper surface, an endless chain operating over said sprockets, a platform resting on the top of said base in frictional contact therewith on which a garment display form is mounted, a pin rising from said chain extending through said slot, said platform having an eccentrically positioned opening into which said pin extends, pivotally connecting the platform to said chain, and means for rotating said chain moving the platform throughout the lengths of said slots, rotating said platform at the ends of said slot.

2. A device for displaying garments fitted on forms, comprising a box-like body having spaced parallel slots connected at their ends, formed in the top thereof, said top being inclined downwardly towards the front of the body, and endless chain operating within the body, the

flights of said chain operating under and in line with said slots, a pin extending vertically from said chain, movable continuously through said slots, a platform resting on the upper surface of the body in frictional contact therewith, said platform providing a support for display form, said platform having an opening in which said pin is. pivotally mounted connecting the platform with the chain to move therewith, said platform being held against rotation by its frictional contact, with said upper surface of the body, throughout the lengths of said slots, and said pin being adapted to rotate and reverse said platform at the ends of said slots.

3. A device for displaying garments fitted on display forms, comprising a box-like body having a forwardly inclined top and having spaced parallel slots extending longitudinally of said top, the said slots embodying curved sections connecting the ends of the slots, and endless chain operating within the body, the flights of said chain operating under and in line with said slots, a pin connected with the chain movable through the slots and curved end sections, the pin terminating above the upper surface of the body, a platform for supporting a display form, said platform having an enlarged opening into which said pin extends pivotally connecting the chain and platform, said platform resting on the upper surface restricting rotation of said platform as it moves longitudinally of said slots, and said pin and chain effecting rotation of said platform at the ends of said slots.

4. A device for displaying garments fitted on display forms, comprising a box-like body having spaced parallel slots connected at their ends by curved slot sections on the upper surface of said body, a chain operating under said slots in direct line with said slots, a pin rising from said chain extending through the slots terminating in substantially spaced relation with the upper surface of said body, a movable display platform resting on the upper surface of the body, said platform having an enlarged opening eccentrically arranged on the platform into which said pin extends connecting the chain and platform, the upper surface of said body being inclined forwardly whereby said platform is normally held by gravity against rotation as the platform moves longitudinally of such slots, means for operating said chain, and said chain and pin effecting rotation of said platform over said inclined surface, at the ends of said slots.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 958,475 Cannon May 17, 1910 1,855,648 Prins Apr; 26, 1932 1,984,948 Sigsbee Dec. 18, 1934 2,106,335 Allen Jan, 25, 1938 2,579,807 Egolf Dec. 25, 1951 FOREIGN PATENTS 196,155 Great Britain Apr. 19, 1923 

